Allen Charles Johnston

URBANA - Allen Charles Johnston, 67, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, mentor, coach and public servant, died Thursday (Oct. 23, 2025) at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, from surgical complications.

Al was born Dec. 29, 1957, in Bradford, the seventh of 10 children of Gerald and Doris McMeen Johnston. He married Julia Rosenbaum Rietz on Aug. 27, 2005, in Champaign.

She survives, as do his children, Evan LeGrand, Rachel Johnston, Zac Turner and Alice (Connor) Rietz Potts; and grandson, Parker Potts. Also surviving are his siblings Mary Johnston, Donna (Don) Urban, Francis "Zip" (Sherry) Johnston, Nancy Johnston (Cathy Naylor), Rosalie (Jim) Gerkin, Joe (Connie) Johnston and Paula (Rick) King; and dozens of nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Al was preceded in death by his brothers Jerry Johnston and Doyle Johnston. Their spouses, Carol and Linda, survive.

A stellar athlete, Al attended Black Hawk East College in Kewanee. He set a school decathlon record in track and played basketball, being named most valuable player for scoring 41 points in one game.

He went on to MacMurray College in Jacksonville, where he scored over 1,000 points in his basketball college career, graduating in 1980 with a degree in education. After teaching physical education and coaching high school basketball, Al began his career in law enforcement as a patrol deputy for the Stark County Sheriff's Office in Toulon in 1983. He remained there until 1987, when he joined the Urbana Police Department. Well-liked by citizens and co-workers, Al worked with men and women who became friends for life. He happily remained in patrol his entire career, participating in such hands-on programs as Risk Watch, working with thousands of children on gun, bicycle and seatbelt safety. He pioneered the department's giveaway of abandoned bicycles.

In 2006, he was commended for disarming a suicidal man during a domestic dispute, preventing serious harm to others in the home and to fellow officers. In 2009, Al was honored as Officer of the Year.

After his 2010 UPD retirement, Al later joined the U.S. Marshals Service as a security officer at the federal courthouse in Urbana, next to the Champaign County Courthouse, where his wife, Julia, has worked for 21 years as the state's attorney. He held that post for 10 years before his September retirement.

A self-described stable boy, Al was dedicated to Julia's passion for horses, taking great care of her, the animals and their home in rural Urbana.

Known for his omnipresent smile and wry wit, Al was a quietly generous man who did not seek the limelight.  

Since 2014, he has volunteered as a CU One-to-One mentor to Karmon Laws, now a sophomore at Eastern Illinois University.

A friend shared that Al once saw a courthouse colleague with holes in his shoes, and, without fanfare, new shoes quietly appeared for the man.

Al enjoyed softball, bowling and golf. More than once, he won the green jacket on the annual golf outings of the Bradford Boyzz, a group of friends who knew each other since grade school.

He was a dedicated Fighting Illini, Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Cardinals fan and cheered for anyone playing against the Cubs or the Bears. Al never left a game early, regardless of the score.

His life was a blessing, and friends and family will sorely miss him.  

A memorial service for Al will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct.30, at Copper Creek Church, 2202 W. Curtis Road, Champaign. Burial will be in Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo. Morgan Memorial Home, Savoy, is handling arrangements.

Memorials may be made in Al's name to the CU One-to-One Scholarship Foundation. Condolences may be offered at morganmemorialhome.com.